DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN NICE

Make your arrival in Nice and take your private transfer to your centrally located hotel for check-in. Your Tour Leader is available by phone for any support you may require and will be in the hotel in the afternoon to meet and greet guests. If time permits, begin discovering the charm of the French Riviera with a leisurely stroll along the elegant Promenade des Anglais, before exploring the narrow streets, colourful markets and vibrant cafés of Vieux Nice (the Old Town). Overnight in Nice.

Accommodation : Nice for 2 nights

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DAY 2 SAINT-PAUL-DE-VENCE - EZE - NICE

This morning, travel to the enchanting hilltop village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, one of the French Riviera’s most celebrated artistic communities, renowned for inspiring masters such as Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Fernand Léger, Marc Chagall and Georges Braque. Enjoy a guided walk through the village’s beautifully preserved medieval ramparts, with sweeping views across the countryside to the Mediterranean. Along the way, glimpse the courtyard of the legendary La Colombe d’Or, where Picasso and other celebrated artists famously settled their bills with original works of art. Enjoy free time for lunch before continuing to the picturesque hilltop village of Èze, where winding cobbled lanes, stone houses and artisan boutiques create one of the French Riviera’s most memorable settings (comfortable walking shoes are recommended). Visit the spectacular Jardin Exotique d’Èze, home to an impressive collection of cacti and exotic plants, while taking in breathtaking panoramic views over Monaco, Menton and Cap Ferrat. Return to Nice at the end of the day. Dinner is at leisure.

Meals : Breakfast

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DAY 3 GRASSE - GORGES DU VERDON - MOUSTIERS-SAINTE-MARIE - VALENSOLE - MANOSQUE

After breakfast, visit the elegant town of Grasse, regarded as the perfume capital of the world. Enjoy a guided walking tour through its historic centre, including Place aux Aires and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the surrounding countryside. There will also be time to browse the town’s renowned perfumeries and boutiques or relax with a coffee in one of its charming cafés. Continue on a spectacular drive through the dramatic Verdon Gorge, with photo stops at breathtaking viewpoints such as Point Sublime, offering unforgettable vistas over Europe’s largest river canyon. Arrive in the picturesque village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, officially recognised as one of “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” (“The Most Beautiful Villages of France”), where you’ll enjoy free time for lunch and the opportunity to explore its charming streets. Later, travel through the beautiful Valensole Plateau, famous for its sweeping lavender fields. During the flowering season, visit a local lavender producer to discover the region’s fragrant products. Outside the lavender season, the route may instead include the vibrant sunflower fields that colour the Provençal landscape*. End the day in Luberon/Verdon area for dinner and to overnight.

*Lavender season is typically 6-8 weeks, in the event that it is out of season, efforts will be made to visit the Sunflower fields instead.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation : Luberon/Verdon area for 1 night

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DAY 4 LUBERON (LOURMARIN, ROUSSILLON, GORDES, AND ISLE-SUR-LA-SORGUE) - AVIGNON

Today, spend the day discovering the timeless beauty of the Luberon, one of Provence’s most picturesque and celebrated regions. Begin in the charming village of Lourmarin, renowned for its elegant streets, cafés and Provençal atmosphere. Enjoy time for a coffee and a stroll through the village, which is also the final resting place of Nobel Prize-winning writer Albert Camus. Continue to Roussillon, famous for its striking ochre-coloured buildings and often regarded as one of the most colourful villages in Provence. Enjoy free time for lunch and the opportunity to explore its vibrant streets and artisan shops. Travel onwards to Gordes, one of France’s most iconic hilltop villages. Following a scenic photo stop overlooking the village, enjoy a brief visit to its historic centre before continuing to the nearby Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, a beautifully preserved Cistercian abbey set amidst the Provençal countryside. Conclude the day in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, often referred to as the “Venice of Provence”, where a leisurely walking tour follows the canals, waterways and picturesque riverside streets that make this town one of the region’s most enchanting destinations. Finish the day in Avignon for dinner and night at the hotel.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation : Avignon for 2 nights

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DAY 5 AVIGNON - MONT VENTOUX - CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE - AVIGNON

Begin the day in the historic city of Avignon with a guided visit to the magnificent Palais des Papes and its peaceful gardens, where a local guide brings to life the fascinating story of the medieval papacy and one of Europe’s largest Gothic palaces. Continue with a walking tour of Avignon, taking in the lively Place de l’Horloge, and the city’s charming streets, followed by free time to enjoy lunch at your leisure. This afternoon, journey to the renowned wine village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where you’ll visit a local winery to discover the traditions of one of France’s most prestigious wine regions and enjoy a tasting. Conclude the day with a visit to the evocative ruins of the Château de Châteauneuf-du-Pape, offering sweeping panoramic views across the surrounding vineyards and the beautiful Rhône Valley. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner

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DAY 6 ARLES - LES-BAUX-DE-PROVENCE - AIX-EN-PROVENCE

Breakfast at the hotel, then depart Avignon and travel to the historic Roman city of Arles, famously associated with Vincent van Gogh. Enjoy a guided walking tour through its atmospheric streets, including entry to the impressive Arles Amphitheatre, a remarkably well-preserved Roman arena still in use today. Continue with free time for lunch in the city centre, where you can soak up Arles’ Provençal charm at your own pace. In the afternoon, travel to the dramatic hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence, where you’ll enjoy free time to explore its narrow streets, artisan boutiques and spectacular panoramic viewpoints.

Continue onwards into the Aix-en-Provence area, where you’ll take part in a themed walking tour inspired by the life and works of painter Paul Cézanne. Check into your hotel for dinner and the night.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation : Aix en Provence area for 1 night

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DAY 7 MARSEILLE - CHATEAU D’IF - SAINT TROPEZ - NICE

Depart for Marseille in the morning and board the ferry to the historic island fortress of Château d’If, with time to explore its atmospheric interior and learn about its storied past*. Return to Marseille and enjoy free time for lunch in the lively Vieux-Port de Marseille, with the option to savour the city’s famed bouillabaisse in a traditional waterfront restaurant (+$). In the afternoon, continue your journey along the Mediterranean coast to Nice, passing through the glamorous resort of Saint-Tropez, where you’ll have time to enjoy the harbour atmosphere and perhaps indulge in a classic ice cream by the waterfront. Arrive in Nice for your overnight stay, with the evening at leisure or the option to enjoy a traditional Niçoise dinner featuring regional specialties (+$).

*The ferry to Chateau d’If can be cancelled in difficult weather. In these cases, it will be replaced with a walking tour of the Le Panier district of Marseille, an area of rich heritage, street art and independent shops.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Nice for 1 night

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DAY 8 DEPARTURE FROM NICE

Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel, then take your private transfer to Nice airport for your return flight home.

Meals : Breakfast